Pneumocystis Jirovecii: A Retrospective Evaluation Of The Last 15 Years In Istanbul, Turkey

Abstract

To evaluate the epidemiological and significance characteristics of Pneumocystis jirovecii in the Istanbul area. We retrospectively collected data from the cases with Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PJP) diagnosed at Istanbul University Hospital during a 15 year period (between 1998 and 2012) in Istanbul, Turkey. Total of 387 samples were examined by Giemsa staining and direct immunofluorescence method. Eight-one of all (20.9%) were found positive for Pneumocystis jirovecii. Statistically highly significant increasing was found at the positivity ratio of Pneumocystis jirovecii (p<0.001). Although risk factors, person to person transmission and effective prophylaxis being known, Pneumocystis jirovecii remains a important infectious disease associated with HIV and in other immunosppressive agents as well. Continuous efforts in infection control are still needed to keep the incidence down. Further and epidemiological surveillance studies with larger patient groups are needed to elucidate the actual role of Pneumocystis jirovecii in infectious diseases